The Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, is targeting Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) for its first New South Wales route.
The flag carrier made its Aussie debut earlier this year, as it launched its inaugural Australian flights – a regularly scheduled charter service exclusively for Luxury Escapes customers – between the Maldives capital city, Male and Melbourne. Now, the airline is eyeing a second service Down Under.
But why Sydney – and specifically, Western Sydney Airport?
It isn’t because the Melbourne route isn’t performing.
During a Maldives tourism roadshow event in Sydney on Thursday night, Maldivian international sales manager Zaushan Nazeer said a second Melbourne service would be easier to introduce, given the airline already flies to Tullamarine once a week (on Tuesdays) under its Luxury Escapes partnership.
The carrier’s load factors are also tracking well enough to warrant another Melbourne service. Speaking to Karryon at the event, Ms Nazeer said that loads for Maldivian’s Melbourne-Male flights are currently averaging around “70 to 80 per cent”, but the carrier expects that to grow further by late-2026. She adds that in recent weeks, that number has surged to around 90 per cent. In addition, business class is “always full”.
But Sydney represents a big opportunity for the carrier. According to Nazeer, NSW passengers already account for up to 40 per cent of its current Victorian service. And while she noted that “nothing has been confirmed”, WSI looks the most likely option for Sydney flights – largely because of the readiness of slots at the curfew-free hub compared to what’s available at Sydney Airport.
Despite this, a Kingsford Smith service could still be on the cards. Speaking to guests at the event, Luxury Escapes wholesale business development manager Pill Attlee said that while no launch dates were confirmed, the company was “in talks with Sydney Airport” and that there could be some “good news the next time we speak”.
Luxury Escapes told Karryon today that while nothing for Sydney is confirmed at this stage, the company is “having numerous discussions about what an ongoing service could look like”.
“And we have made no secret of the fact we would like to continue the Melbourne operation as well as look at direct flights from Sydney,” they said.
Maldivian’s presence in Australia has been further enabled by a recently signed deal, which paves the way for Aussie and Maldivian carriers to operate passenger and cargo services between the Maldives and all Australian international airports, including WSI.
Karryon has contacted Western Sydney Airport for comment.
More Maldives
If more Aussie seats become available, it’s likely Australians will fill them.
Speaking to Karryon at the roadshow, Visit Maldives destination marketing manager Aminath Shathura said Australian visitation this year had risen rapidly – to the point where Australia is now a top 10 source market.
From January to May 2026, she said Australian arrivals in the island nation had grown by around 14 per cent, from 17,000 over the same period in 2025 to more than 20,000 this year.
Roadshow wraps
With travel to the Maldives on the rise, Visit Maldives’ roadshow came at an opportune time.
Hitting NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, 13 suppliers from the Maldives met with hundreds of travel advisor guests in Sydney (100), Melbourne (80) and Perth (60) to promote the destination among the trade.
More demand and the possibility of more flights. This is definitely a space worth watching.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Maldivian’s interest in WSI highlights the airport’s growing international appeal and the Maldives’ rising popularity with Australians. For travel advisors, more capacity could unlock greater competition, connectivity and premium holiday opportunities.
